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Three UW RSOs Win License Plate Program Service Grants

April 21, 2009
Man dancing
Ben Wiebers, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Wellington, Colo., had fun at the recent Dance Marathon. Funds from the event supported AIDS clinics in Africa. (UW Photo)

Three University of Wyoming student organizations will share $3,000 in the UW License Plate Program Service Grant program.   

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) Dance Marathon, Engineers without Borders (EWB) and Agriculture Community Resources for Everyday Sustainability (ACRES) received awards funded by UW license plate fees.

RSOs in good standing were encouraged to apply for this one-time grant supporting a service project. A team of Wyoming Student Alumni Association  and Associated Students of UW representatives reviewed all eligible proposals using a standard evaluation matrix, which reflected core elements outlined in the call for proposals.

Dance Marathon will use its $750 award toward costs associated with its dance marathon event, which raises funds for philanthropic organizations. This year, Face AIDS, a student organization that inspires and encourages students to fight AIDS in Africa, is the beneficiary. Face AIDS will contribute event revenue to Partners in Health (PIH) clinics in rural Rwanda. PIH provides preferential, complementary health care, HIV prevention and treatment services and support to those living under conditions of poverty and disease.

The $1,750 awarded to Engineers without Borders supports a water-development project feasibility study in Mbita, Kenya. EWB partners with developing communities to improve quality of life and to implement sustainable engineering projects. The 6,000 Mbita villagers currently lack a reliable water source, causing severe illness and hindering economic progress. During the initial assessment trip, the EWB team will establish strong local relationships, survey community needs and perform technical analysis of the water and terrain.

ACRES' $500 award will help fund a diesel truck purchase for its compost operation and bio-diesel facility development. ACRES is a student-managed agricultural operation, comprised of students and community members dedicated to cultivating a sustainable farm with year-round crop production. ACRES now relies on community members to conduct its compost run -- a three time per week commitment. The purchase of a diesel truck will allow the compost run to include all UW dining facilities and additional community and business participants. ACRES also hopes to use the diesel truck in developing a biodiesel facility.

Displaying Wyoming colors with yellow numbers on a brown background, UW license plates are sold for a $100 fee, which goes into a scholarship fund. Scholarships are available for undergraduate students who fall into the categories of outreach students, non-traditional students or fifth- or sixth-year students.

Posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2009

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